Any game that starts as bombastically as Saints Row IV is a winner in my book.
Fighting off enemies as you run towards a nuclear missile as it it launches, only to jump on the warhead, climb up and disarm it mid- flight, as Aerosmith’s Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing plays in the background, is the stuff of legend.
A game as open world and downright ludicrous in places as Saints Row IV tends to keep you hooked if only for the banter, but when it’s on Nintendo Switch and you can play anywhere, then you better get ready for laugh-out-loud moments on the post-lockdown bus journey because this game is brilliant.
Playing the head of the Third Street Saints from previous games, you have now been “elected” leader of the free world, or president of the United States just at the point where Earth has been invaded by aliens and it’s up to you to free your fellow Americans (and everyone else) from the madness.
As if that wasn’t enough, you have been gifted superpowers to help enable you to defeat the Zin, led by alien warlord Zinyak, and here (if there ever was any) is where the comparison with Rockstar’s GTA series ends. It’s an open world where you can walk or drive around at any pace you like, follow the storyline arc or even take on numerous side missions, each one as madcap as the last.
Most often you’ll engage in shooting and racing. Other activities vary from fighting crowds of zombies, shoot-outs in tanks, side-scrolling beat-em-ups, fights against supersized energy drink cans, and using a dubstep gun (don’t ask, just wait).
The story gets better and funnier as you play and there were no real issues on the Switch port, which has been a problem in the past for remasters that have appeared on Nintendo’s premium console.
For those who have played the game before, there is nothing in the way of new content, but the packaging of all post-launch DLC is a great addition.
Although being on the Switch there IS support for motion controls using the Joy Con, which works well enough. One of the most fun games on Switch at the moment and at around £20-£25 it’s a great addition to anyone’s Switch library.
